What is (Soccer) Football? And How it Works?

Among the ball sports, soccer has been one of the primary. In each team, there are eleven (11) players, which includes the goalkeeper. Each of the members work hard to push the ball against the opposing team. They can use any of their body parts except for their arms and hands. In every period, there are forty five (45) minutes, the team that scores more will win. According to the Cambridge rules, pushing, grabbing, checking, etc. are not allowed. In addition to that, the goalkeeper is the only person who is allowed to use his arms and hands during the game. He needs to prevent the ball from entering the goal.

Those matches that are played on fields are called a pitch. There are four sides that have lines for boundary. A common field is one hundred (100) yards in length and fifty (50) yards wide in width, however, some fields are larger. Whenever the ball comes across any of the lines, it is then returned to the game by an overhead throw-n that should be two-handed. Thus, making the only exception wherein a non-goalie can make use of his hands. And in certain times wherein it goes out of the line again, it it returned back to the game by kicking, which is performed by the goalie. The team in offense may perform it or it can also be done by the team in defense in one corner.

A typical goal is eight (8) feet in height and eight (8) yards long. For it to be considered as a complete goal, the ball should cross the visible line between those goal posts. In front of every goal, there’s a large rectangle, which is referred to as the goal area. Whenever the player in defense incurs a foul, just within this area, then the team in offense will receive a penalty kick. The latter is called a free shot. The goalie is the only person who gets to defend. Those fouls incurred in other parts of the field results to various penalties. There are also minor offenses that you may incur. These are touching the ball with your hands and you are not the goalkeeper, holding your opponents or kicking the ball directly to someone else’s head. These minor offenses will result will change the possession of the ball.

Other flagrant fouls may result to getting cards. There those severe fouls like disrespecting some of the officials, fighting and other fouls that are intentional. The referee may issue yellow cards to the player who committed the offense. The said issuance will serve as a warning. Though it doesn’t have an immediate effect, if the player receives another card of the same color, which will be automatically converted in a red card. And this color may result to the player’s elimination from the game. Furthermore, there are offenses that are too extreme that would directly tantamount to a red card, it is not necessary to go through a yellow card first.

These are the basic, however, you can consult a guide to know other specific rules and regulations. Lastly, soccer players use protective equipment such as shin guards and specialized pair of shoes.